Are you ready to make your mark in the world? If so, you’ll need access to a solid education. A degree can help you discover new opportunities and take them with you.
Many people believe that getting a bachelor’s or higher degree is just about finishing school. But, it’s also about what comes after graduation.
Getting a college degree opens up countless career possibilities, from entry-level positions to management roles in large companies.
It’s no wonder more and more people choose to get an undergraduate degree as the first step of their post-secondary journey.
The world has become smaller and information easier to access than ever before. Why spend years in a classroom when you could learn at your own pace online.
An online degree program frees students from campus restrictions. And allows them to learn at their own pace via the Internet instead of being restricted by time schedules or location constraints.
Getting your first bachelor’s degree can be a task for any student. But it’s especially challenging if you’re trying to break into an academic field that tends to churn out applicants at a steady rate.
If the thought of how much time and money you’ll need to spend in order to finish your degree has you paralyzed, then don’t worry; you’re not alone.
In fact, most people who want to get an advanced degree but don’t know where to start are often so overwhelmed by the process that they end up giving up before they even begin. Luckily, getting your first bachelor’s degree isn’t as difficult as it seems at first glance.
With the right information and resources, it shouldn’t take more than six months (or less than six weeks if you have a friend who can tutor you) to complete a bachelor’s program from scratch.
Keep reading this article so that by the time you finish reading it, you will know exactly where to start when planning your first bachelor’s degree program or what resources are available for those who want to go straight through their undergraduate studies as opposed.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree?
A bachelor’s degree is a graduate-level academic program that is typically completed within six years of entering a program. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in almost any field that has a bachelor’s degree program at a university or community college.
If you study at a four-year university, you can expect to take courses in a variety of subjects, including humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, and more.
You can also expect to spend the majority of your time in a classroom, taking notes and preparing for exams. A bachelor’s degree is a great way to begin a career as a teacher, social worker, or other career requiring a license.
However, you can also pursue a wide range of other careers, such as nursing, science research, public health administration, and many more.
Types of Bachelor’s Degrees
There are a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs, and many of them can be completed entirely online if the university you’re planning to attend offers online courses.
Some of the most popular types of bachelor’s degrees are listed below.
1. Liberal Arts
Liberal arts degrees are ideal for anyone who wants to pursue a career in a field requiring creativity and critical thinking, but not necessarily a specific set of skills. Common courses in a liberal arts degree might include English, psychology, or philosophy.
2. Business
Business degrees are designed for students who want to complete a rigorous, in-depth education related to a specific industry or career field.
You can expect to learn about marketing, finance, management, and more in a business degree. A business degree might also be combined with a liberal arts degree if a university offers a minor in a related field, such as business management.
3. Science
A science degree is a great way to prepare for a career in the sciences. Many science degrees incorporate courses in math, physics, biology, and more, preparing students for a variety of careers in healthcare, technology, engineering, and more.
Finding bachelor’s degrees at a community college or university
One of the best ways to get your first bachelor’s degree is to take one at a community college. Community colleges offer associate’s degree programs that are usually two years long and require less credits than four-year universities.
If you want to get your first bachelor’s degree from a university, you’ll want to look for universities that offer bachelor’s degree programs in your preferred field of study.
If you’re not sure what fields are most popular or what degrees are most in demand, you can use websites and apps like CourseRank and OpenCourseWare to learn about what’s available at your preferred university.
Many universities also offer online courses, so you can earn your bachelor’s degree entirely online, if that’s what your schedule allows for.
Community colleges, on the other hand, may offer a wide range of on-campus and online degree options, so you can choose the one that fits your schedule and budget the best.
Online bachelor’s degree programs
Community colleges have traditionally been the best option for anyone looking to get their bachelor’s degree on a budget.
But with the proliferation of online degree programs and university programs that offer degree options online, getting your first bachelor’s degree can be done entirely online.
Online degree programs are great for students who are able to complete their degree from home and who have full-time jobs that allow them to dedicate their evenings and weekends to their studies.
There are many benefits to completing an online degree program, including the ability to study anytime and anywhere, the ability to take courses at your own pace, and the ability to use your home computer and internet connection for coursework.
Online degree programs can also be a great choice for mature students or those who need to work full-time in order to support themselves and their families.
But keep in mind that online programs often have fewer resources than on-campus programs, so you’ll have to be realistic about your abilities and schedule to make sure you get the most out of your degree.
Getting Your Master’s Degree
After you earn your bachelor’s degree, you might decide that you want to take a master’s program. A master’s degree is typically two years long, unlike a bachelor’s degree, which is usually four years long.
You can earn a master’s degree in almost any field that has a graduate-level program at a university or community college.
Many master’s programs are similar to bachelor’s programs in terms of the education you’ll receive, but they are more intensive in scope and are often intended for highly-qualified students.
A master’s degree helps you earn a more significant piece of paper, which can be a great motivator towards further study.
Doctorate in Education (Ed.D)
A doctorate in education (Ed.D) is typically a terminal degree that is awarded to individuals who have completed a master’s degree in education and have at least five years of experience teaching in a public school.
A doctorate in education is typically an eight-year program, and like a master’s degree, it is designed to prepare you for a career in education and is usually intended for experienced teachers.
Unlike a master’s degree, a doctorate in education cannot be studied for in a shorter amount of time, it must be completed entirely.
Where to get your bachelor’s degree? The easiest way to get your bachelor’s degree is to complete one at a community college, but you can also choose from a wide variety of online degree programs and programs that are completed entirely at a university.
If you choose an online degree program, you have the option of completing your degree entirely online. This can be a good option for those who need to work full-time, live far away from a university campus, or who just prefer to study from home.
If you choose an on-campus degree program, keep in mind that you typically have to live in the state you’re studying in and that classes may be more expensive than online degree programs.
Also, many universities have limited capacity, so you have to be selective about the programs you choose to make sure you can get into one.
If you choose an online degree program, keep in mind that you’ll have to make all the decisions about where you want to get your degree, what degree you want to pursue, and how you want to study.
You may want to consider using a degree guide or online university review site like this one to help you make the most informed decision possible.
Where to get your bachelor’s degree?
Choosing from among the many options for getting your first bachelor’s degree is challenging enough.
But when it comes to choosing where to get your degree, you have to consider factors like the reputation of the university you’re applying to, the amount of money you have to spend on tuition, and the amount of time and commitment it will take you to complete your degree.
You can use websites like CourseRank and OpenCourseWare to find out what’s available at your preferred university. You can also ask your professor or professor’s assistant what they recommend.
